Clamor For Federal Action On Immigration Grows

Washington D.C. - Immigration developments this week reflect the rising frustration across America over the lack of action in Washington on immigration. While Congress debates the "right time" for real immigration solutions, the consequences of a broken immigration system only get worse and frustrate families, employers, workers, taxpayers, voters and local communities.

Meanwhile, other local communities across the country are standing up against Arizona's discriminatory law, urging a comprehensive solution to our immigration crisis. States, cities and counties from coast to coast have proposed or adopted at least 60 measures in opposition to the Arizona law that call for a boycott of Arizona, prohibit travel to the state and call on Congress and President Obama to enact comprehensive immigration reform.At least half of these measures have passed.Last week, the U.S. Conference of Mayors passed two resolutions denouncing Arizona's harsh immigration law and calling on Congress to act on immigration reform.

"Allowing states to create their own immigration laws would create chaos and confusion for both immigrants and law enforcement while not fixing the immigration problem at its core" saidAli Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration and Chair of the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign. "We don't need an uneven patchwork of state-based immigration laws; we need a comprehensive national solution. State-based immigration proposals should be a wake-up call to Congress, they need to take the steering wheel, fix the immigration problem and finally pass comprehensive immigration reform."

"We strongly commend the House of Representatives for stepping up and providing the leadership that is so urgently needed in Congress today" said Ali Noorani, "Americans expect their leaders to tackle tough problems, not hide behind political excuses. This is a problem that clearly Americans want solved now. The ball is now in the Senate's court and we call on the Senate for prompt introduction of comprehensive immigration reform legislation".

The coalition understands that fixing the immigration system will keep America globally competitive and will strengthen the nation's economy. As Mayor Bloomberg said in a statement,"Immigrants have always been an essential part of America's economic strength. This coalition was formed to change our current immigration policy, which is undermining our economy and threatening our status as the world's leading power."

Ali Noorani added, "The reality is that everyone wants an immigration system that works, that can be clearly enforced and that restores the rule of law. The majority of the American public understands that effective enforcement is established by a workable immigration system that supports American families, businesses and workers. The real solution to our immigration crisis is bold action by Washington enacting comprehensive immigration reform."